LOOKING FORWARD FRIDAY: NIGHTSHADE By MICHAEL CONNELLY
A new Michael Connelly novel is always a reason to celebrate, and this year we have two! Coming out later in the year (October), we have a new Lincoln Lawyer book, The Proving Ground, but the more immediate release is Nightshade (20 May 2025).
Nightshade introduces a new character for Connelly in the form of Detective Stilwell from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office. Stilwell, no first name, has been ‘exiled’ to a low-key post, policing rustic Catalina Island, after department politics drove him off a homicide desk on the mainland. It is a more restful job, but while following up the usual drunks and petty thefts that come with his new territory, Stilwell gets a report of a body found wrapped in plastic and weighed down at the bottom of the harbour. Crossing all lines of protocol and jurisdiction, he starts doggedly working the case, much to the annoyance of old enemies back in LA. Soon, his investigation uncovers closely guarded secrets and a dark heart to the serene island that was meant to be his escape from the evils of the big city.
This another stellar piece of writing by Connelly. The story quickly draws you in and it unfolds in a smooth way that keeps you interested throughout. The pacing is a little slow to start with as Connelly introduces his new cast of characters and sets the various elements of the plot in place, but there is enough mystery and tension to keep you interested. A violent twist at the midway point certainly ramps up the suspense and the second half races along at a good pace with excitement and plenty of surprises.
As with all his books, Connelly is very good at conveying the mechanics of an investigation in a believable manner that generates interest without overburdening the plot with too much detail. He never cuts corners, and the investigation proceeds in a logical way that grounds the story and keeps it credible.
Nightshade is supported by an interesting and richly developed set of characters who help to the progress the plot. Little vignettes add texture to the story and provide insights into the sort of people who live on Catalina. Stilwell takes a little while to warm to, but he is a good guide to the social complexities of the island and the dark corners of LA. He is sufficiently different to Connelly’s popular Harry Bosch character to warrant his own series, but he does have the same approach to justice and serving the victims:
“(Most cops) seemed to forget why they’d put on the badge: To be fair. To right the wrongs against the innocent. To prevent those wrongs from occurring in the first place. Stilwell never wanted to forget.”
Adding to enjoyment are interesting details around policework and sailing, vivid descriptions of Catalina Island and Connelly’s usual sharp social and political observations. In all, a very good read and a strong start to what looks like being a new series for Connelly.
Nightshade is released in Australia on 20 May by Allen & Unwin and in the United States on the same day by Little, Brown and Company, with a different cover to the one above.